Spanning the 1880s to the 1930s, this collection display celebrates the innovations in art – and life – introduced by the generation of Australians who travelled to London and Paris for experience and inspiration in the decades either side of 1900.

This major exhibition celebrates 100 years of Australia’s oldest and most-loved portrait award and reflects upon the changing face of our nation.

Our most recent commission, the portrait of Maggie Beer by Del Kathryn Barton both combines a statuesque almost devotional likeness with a spell-binding and dream-like personalised symbology of the sitter.

Archie Moore is a celebrated Kamilaroi and Bigambul artist whose practice is embedded in the politics of identity, racism and language systems. Mīal is a conceptual self portrait that counters expectations of what a self portrait should be.

The exhibition will feature some of the most significant portraits in the artist’s career to date, from early major works such as his painting of HM Queen Mary of Denmark through to his most recent.

Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley’s major installation greets you as you arrive at the Gallery, in a work that invites conversations about the ongoing legacies of colonisation.

Launched at the National Portrait Gallery in 2022, the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize is a competition for primary and secondary students, with four separate age categories across Kindergarten to Year 12.

The Darling Portrait Prize is a biennial national prize for Australian portrait painting honouring the legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG.

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2024 celebrates established and emerging artistic talent from across the country.

Discover 50 colonial-era collection works alongside 50 works by contemporary artist Joan Ross. With wit and wry critique, Ross will make you consider the artist’s role in determining which stories are told, about who and why.

Tracey’s Moffat’s complete Some Lads series powerfully and playfully depicts Russell Page, Larrakia man Gary Lang, Muruwari man Matthew Doyle, and Graham Blanco, a descendant of the Mer (Murray Island) people.

A most beautiful experiment responds to Congolese photographer Jean Depara’s documentation of Kinshara’s nightlife in the 1960s.

Drawn from the National Portrait Gallery collection, this salon-style hang references the lavish 18th- and 19th-century European salons where paintings were hung floor-to-ceiling.

Carol Jerrems: Portraits is a major exhibition of one of Australia’s most influential photographers. Jerrems’ intimate portraits of friends, lovers and artistic peers transcend the purely personal and have come to shape Australian visual culture.

This show, staged alongside the major exhibition Carol Jerrems: Portraits, spotlights the work of three contemporary Australian artists whose work sits in dialogue with Jerrems’ legacy.

Learn about the architecture of the building before journeying through the Gallery to hear about the lives and legacies of the portrait subjects and the artistic techniques used to tell their stories.

Join a short introductory tour of the National Portrait Gallery and discover a few key portraits.

Browse the full list of portraits from the collection that are on view now.

A free exhibition of over 100 works by contemporary Australian artist Thom Roberts. Step into his world and experience bold paintings, animation and installation works where people and places intertwine.

Experience the joy and transformative power of slow looking. By taking your time with art, you can reconnect with the present, uncover hidden details and make personal discoveries.

Explore the beauty and symbolism of flowers in this weird and wonderful floral extravaganza that showcases more than 50 portraits from the collection, new acquisitions and selected loans.

Atem’s major new commission The Last Women embodies the artist’s vibrant style of staged studio portraiture.

On show in Gallery 3, One-on-one showcases portraits of pairs from the collection from the 1800s to today.

Drop into the Gallery for free artmaking activities inspired by the exhibition In Bloom.

The NPPP is an annual prize for Australian photographers. The year’s most outstanding photographic portrait is awarded a $30,000 cash prize and photographic equipment valued at $20,000 courtesy of our Imaging Partner, Canon Australia.

Led by knowledgeable guides, our tours are conversational, friendly and informative.

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day.

National treasure, Tina Arena AM, is set to celebrate a remarkable 50 years in the music industry. In honour of her dedication, talent and incredible achievements, the National Portrait Gallery has commissioned a new portrait by renowned fashion photographer Georges Antoni.

Join Australian music icon, Tina Arena AM in conversation with renowned fashion photographer Georges Antoni as they discuss the newly commissioned portrait, Tina.

Join us in the Gallery for a special iteration of Drawn In to celebrate our new portrait of Australian music icon Tina Arena AM.

Join exhibition curator Rebecca Blake for an introduction to National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025, as she explores the key themes, ideas and preparation process behind the exhibition.

Join retired Pacific Collections Librarian, Deveni Temu, for an insightful exploration of Elizabeth Durack’s remarkable artworks created during her 1968 visit to PNG.

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day.

Join Learning Facilitator, Nicole, as she explores early 20th century Australia through portraiture, reflecting on the moments changing the nation.

Join exhibition curator, Serena Bentley for a tour of In Bloom. Serena will take you through the exhibition, exploring the symbolism of flowers in a selection of beautiful, bold, botanical portraits.

Drop into our Family Space these school holidays for a range of free, creative activities to celebrate all things Spring.

Celebrate the unveiling of our new portrait of landscape architect, environmental educator and TV host Costa Georgiadis!

Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just starting your indoor jungle, this is your chance to green up your home.

Explore Rob McHaffie’s portrait of Costa up close during Spring Family Day. Join Gallery staff on an interactive family tour to learn more about the portrait through playful movement, conversation and artmaking.

Join us these school holidays for Portrait Play, a gentle and creative program for families and young children.

Join Melissa Malu, Head of Pasifika Collections & Engagement at the Australian Museum, as she discusses community identity and what portraiture means to her from a Tongan and Fijian context.

Join us these school holidays for Portrait Play, a gentle and creative program for families and young children.

Celebrate World Sight Day and discover some of our most colourful portraits from the collection brought to life through audio description.

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day.

We offer a free, tailor-made program for small groups of people living with dementia and their friends, families or carers.

Join Samantha, as she peels back the layers of paint within a selection of portraits. Uncover how artists influence light, hue and texture to illuminate the lives of their sitters.

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Do we have a treat for the smaller humans in your life! Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Join Learning Facilitator, Sally, as we look at portraits in the collection that honour the incredible work of childhood educators.

Join Sophia, Education Delivery Officer, as she explores how portraits of Australians in the film industry provide insights into the nation’s growing interest in Halloween.

In celebration of the launch, join 25th Governor-General of Australia, The Hon Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, author Juliet Rieden and former Deputy Official Secretary Mark Fraser AO CVO in a lively panel conversation about this newly published biography.

Super Kaylene Whiskey celebrates one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, proud Yankunytjatjara woman Kaylene Whiskey.

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day.